The Merciful Crow

By: Margaret Owen

Narrated by: Amy Landon

Debut author Margaret Owen crafts a powerful saga of vengeance, survival, and sacrifice - perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake - in The Merciful Crow. One way or another, we always feed the crows.

A future chieftain

Fie abides by one rule: Look after your own. Her Crow caste of undertakers and mercy-killers takes more abuse than coin, but when they’re called to collect royal dead, she’s hoping they’ll find the payout of a lifetime.

A fugitive prince

When Crown Prince Jasimir turns out to have faked his death, Fie’s ready to cut her losses - and perhaps his throat. But he offers a wager that she can’t refuse: Protect him from a ruthless queen, and he’ll protect the Crows when he reigns.

A too-cunning bodyguard

Hawk warrior Tavin has always put Jas’ life before his, magically assuming the prince’s appearance and shadowing his every step. But what happens when Tavin begins to want something to call his own?

©2019 Margaret Owen (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

really really good story

the story was really good, and the narrator does quite a good job with the male voices. i’ve had several audiobooks ruined by a narrator trying too hard (or not very hard at all) to get the genders right, especially with different ages. this narrator knocked it out of the park.

Pretty Good

I enjoyed this book. It was an easy listen, nicky paced. No major twists and turns. But still enough action and peril to make it interesting. The narrator was decent enough. I wish her male voices were a bit better. otherwise, no complaints.

a good mercy

I would straight up die for this book. I started the physical book three times but life kept calling me away, so I got the audiobook. Now I'm just eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Owen does a beautiful job writing and exploring the power dynamics of oppression, and what it looks in function. Normally I shy away from books involving caste systems because they end up feeling trite or preachy, but this book just feels real in the most aching and fire-lighting way.
I love this book, I love Fie,

Compelling story, bad narrator

The world felt real and compelling, and the book was well-written. The world-building has holes you can drive a wagon through but somehow I liked the main character enough to enjoy the story regardless. The narrator was terrible. The ends of all the sentences went down in intonation and often had the last word totally distinct like “What do you think. Pa.” The narrator also chose a strange British accent for the characters, which there was no reason for as far as I could tell. At least for the most part the book felt like it took place somewhere hot and dry; I had assumed a more Western feel.

Unique but a little slow

Overall a pleasure, truly interesting premise and characters, but pretty slow moving. Well written and narrated.

Solid!

1) Main Character: committed to doing a good job while filled with self-doubt. Consistent. Somewhat thoughtful. Flexible, so she often McGivers her way to expand magic. Likes Le. Not often stupid.
2) Magic system: persons teeth carry the type of magic ruled by their “tribe”. Great. Plague (seems to be) related to history/ behavior.
3)World/politics. Our protagonist is member of lowest status tribe doing heavy lifting for society.

All things I like: smart, flexible trying to do right protagonist dealing with medical/death/class struggles from the bottom, using interesting magic.

Absolutely recommend. Don’t forget it’s in two books: The Merciful Crow, and The Faithless Hawk

coming of age rebellion story

I enjoyed this book because it's a slightly offbeat take on a typical rebellion-againts-the-empire fantasy trope and I espcially loved the focus on birds. It also pleased me that the novel dealt with LGBTQ and non-cis-gendered characters in a casual way that wasn't derogatory. The main character isn't overly complex, but it was a good adventure that most fantasy readers would enjoy.

Interesting

I am not exactly sure how to describe this book, very cast oriented. Unfortunately, the book did not go into the details of how you can tell the cast of people apart. Great story, well written, I had an issue with the main character a little, and the final showdown was a bit too convenient. I think having a full history/story of the gods and their blessing to the cast system would really benefit the "depth" of unjustice; the entire plot was kind of build around. Otherwise, it was a great listen. I was pleasantly surprised.

Fresh and creative new world

Loooooved this. The world building was exceptional and I loved the parallels to our modern history as well. I found the concept of the magic types fascinating and the characters were nuanced and lovely. So excited for book 2. Narration was exceptional.

it's fine.

it wonderful world with a good story that just feels flat in places. I look forward to the next book.